Radiant Skin: Sarah Mirsini Of MĀSK Skincare On 5 Things Anyone Can Do to Have Healthy, Radiant, Flawless Skin

An Interview With Athalia Monae

Drink you water. Studies show that people who drink more water tend to have clearer, younger looking skin. Water is a detoxifier and works to hydrate you from within which resulting in a healthy glow even your best moisturizer can’t achieve on its own.

Each day, millions strive to unlock the secrets of blemish-free, luminous skin, yet many find this goal frustratingly out of reach. In a market saturated with quick fixes and fad trends, it’s vital to cut through the noise and understand what truly works. Our skin is our largest organ and the shield between our bodies and the outside world; it deserves more than just a superficial approach. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Sarah Mirsini.

Sarah Mirsini , Founder of MĀSK. in Norway and Greece, Sarah’s passion for nature, beauty and health was informed at an early age. A childhood spent traversing the globe with her travel agent mother and exposure to different cultures through her grandfather, who worked with refugees, fueled Sarah’s curiosity and honed her strong global aesthetic. Now a resident of NYC, Sarah gains perpetual inspiration from her fellow citizens of the world, and the cacophonous sounds and riot of color that surround her daily. Deciding to go a more holistic route in her way of living, Sarah came into the CBD world 3 years ago and completely fell in love with the plant and its benefits. Having struggled with problematic skin since her early teens, Sarah took matters into her own hands and created MĀSK. A non-toxic all plant based CBD Skincare Company. Her goal was if she could just help one person, she knew she was on the right path.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about networking, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

I am originally from Europe, and I grew up in Norway and Greece until the age of 22. I then lived in the UK, and decided to follow my dreams and move to New York City in 2014. I’ve always been fascinated by herbalism and plant medicine, as my greek grandmother used to have the most beautiful garden growing up. She would always have a remedy for something, tomatoes on sunburn, vinegar on mosquito bites. So when I started getting acne at the age of 13, I was so upset and lost when nothing seemed to work for me. I started going down a more medical route with antibiotics and harsh skincare, which just made things worse but I really didn’t get any other alternatives at the time and I was desperate. My acne, and my mental state, worsened when I entered my 20s and one day I just hit rock bottom and decided to take matters into my own hands.

I enrolled at the Integrative Wellness Academy and pursued my certification as a Holistic Wellness Coach. My world expanded on a level I could not comprehend, and I leaned the skin, as our biggest organ, is not only affected by what you put on it, but also how you feel, what you nourish your body with. And I slowly started to heal my body, mind and soul.

I knew this was something I wanted to help people with, and that’s where MĀSK was born. Each of us wears masks by which we move through the world: From how we present ourselves at the office to time spent with our loved ones, we exhibit to the world a mere version of our genuine selves. At night, we wash the day away and lay bare our truth. It is this moment, when we discard the facades, from which MĀSK draws its inspiration

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

As I was first getting started as a health coach, I got introduced to Hemp and while very sceptic at first, I have it a try and after 2–3 weeks on a daily intake of a tincture I knew in my bones this was my calling. How could I combine my love for plants and my need to help people with their skin? Skincare! Now, this was in 2017 and Hemp was just entering the market and the bill hadn’t even passed. I had currently entered a new business venture with opening up the first CBD dispensary in New York City, and we ended up opening up 5 more, and while doing this I was developing my own skincare line from scratch. My partner and I flew back and forth from NY to CA to our lab, and did formula testing, packaging design and our plan was to make this a exclusive line for the stores we had.

We soft launched MĀSK in April 2019 and started slowly to add the products into the stores that summer. One day, a buyer from Bloomingdale’s walked in and was obsessed! By Christmas we were in 50+ Bloomingdale’s locations across the country, as one of the first CBD Skincare brands in the stores, and we had a PO of more products then we even thought we would produce the first year. We worked day and night to fulfill the order, and I just could not believe this was happening.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Integrity. Keep your standards high, and don’t fall for the “latest trends”. I’ve learned to stay true to my brand and my message, and I have also accepted my products may not be for everyone, but they will be for someone. I will never change for anyone, and I will always stay true to myself and the ethos of my brand.

Humbleness. Stay humble! It does not matter how many locations you go into, how much money you make. This can disappear in a blink of an eye. I learned this when COVID hit. I put all my eggs in the department store basket, and when 100+ of my location partners closed I had no idea how I would stay afloat. But I adjusted to the times, and I kept my head down and kept going.

Inclusivity. There is no I in Team. I’ve always made sure that whoever works for my company, works with us and not for us. I want to listen to ideas, and make everyone feel heard and valued. My first job out of college was at a beauty company, and I remember how my boss would never listen to our ideas and we never felt appreciated. I swore that if I ever had my own company I would not be like that. Without engaged and happy employees your company can’t thrive.

What are your “ 5 Things Anyone Can Do to Have Healthy, Radiant, Flawless Skin”?

1 . Eat right! Having healthy and glowing skin is an inside/out combination. Your skin is your largest organ, and everything you consume show up on your skin, Big no-no’s are processed foods, dairy, meat, eggs, GMOs, and gluten.

2 . Have a healthy gut flora. Consuming whole-foods to each meal provided the fiber, all the essential nutrients and antioxidants for a strong gut. I highly recommend reading Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ by Giulia Enders.

3 . Don’t listen to influencers when it comes to your skincare. Whenever I see “the products that cleared my skin” I always roll my eyes. Yes, products play a huge role, but EVERY SKIN IS DIFFERENT. What works for one person, might not work for another. So be cautious when assuming something will “save your skin”, go to a licensed esthetician instead. The products you use are very important, and a 12-step regime might not be better, in my experience less is more.

4 . Drink you water. Studies show that people who drink more water tend to have clearer, younger looking skin. Water is a detoxifier and works to hydrate you from within which resulting in a healthy glow even your best moisturizer can’t achieve on its own.

5 . Sweat! This is also so important for a healthy skin. Go in a sauna, do hot yoga, go for a hike. But also enjoy it!

What are the most common misconceptions about daily skincare routines that prevent people from achieving radiant skin?

More Products Equals Better Results: One common misconception is that using a large number of skincare products will automatically lead to better results. In reality, using too many products can overwhelm the skin and disrupt its natural balance. It’s important to focus on quality over quantity and choose products that address specific skin concerns without overloading the skin with unnecessary ingredients.

Could you share your insights on how diet and nutrition directly affect skin health, and perhaps suggest some superfoods for skin radiance?

Like I mentioned earlier, your skin is a representation of what you consume. Try to avoid cow dairy, eggs and processed foods. Eat your leafy greens, make sure your source of protein comes from a organic and trustworthy source. If you have access to a farmers market, that is the best thing you can do for your body.

Many people think having juices first thing in the morning is good, but it’s actually not. Fruits contain a lot of sugar, the good kind, but still it’s not great for the mornings. This feeds the bacteria on an empty stomach and can create imbalance. If you are a juice person in the morning opt for celery, spinach, cucumber etc.

My secret for glowing skin is eating vegetables to every single meal. For breakfast I pretty much always have avocado, cucumber, sprouts, tomato, bell peppers, radishes. On a Scandinavian seed bread, it.s too delicious!

How do you recommend individuals tailor their skincare routine to address the unique needs of their skin type and environment?

Go see a esthetician. This is KEY to a healthy skin barrier! It’s is definitely worth the investment, because you save time and money on trying to fogger it out yourself and you get a customized skincare regime that’s appropriate to your skin type.

What advances in skincare science or new ingredients are you most excited about that promise to enhance skin health and radiance?

I can’t say enough time how much of a game changer CBD is for skin. I am living proof of this, as it completely changed my skin and my overall look on skincare products. We still have some way to go, but at least incorporate ONE skincare products with CBD into your routine. If it’s a sheet mask, a serum, a cream. I am telling you. It’s just too good.

Can you describe a holistic approach to skincare that encompasses not just topical treatments but also lifestyle and wellness practices?

Holistic approaches to healthy skin involve considering various factors that contribute to overall well-being, both internally and externally.

Eat a Balanced Diet. Consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Nutrient-rich foods provide essential vitamins and minerals that support skin health.

Regular Exercise. Physical activity promotes blood circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin. It also supports the natural detoxification process.

Holistic Therapies:

• Facial Massage: Regular facial massages can improve blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, and promote relaxation.
• Acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine: Some individuals find holistic treatments like acupuncture beneficial for skin health.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I would love for more mindful and holistic approaches to be taken more seriously. People expect results over-nigh and quick fixes, but they are not willing to do the work. I know this, because I was one of these people. Once I learned to be patient, practice mindfulness and to be kind to myself, a lot changed. It comes from within, you just need the right tools.

How can our readers further follow you online?

www.maskskincare.com or @maskskincarecom on all platforms

Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!

About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.